Anchoring biscuit device

ABSTRACT

An anchoring biscuit device for joining three boards. It includes, (a) a first substantially flat horizontal top element having a generally biscuit-shaped configuration, (b) at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element and extending downwardly therefrom for a predetermined length for joinder of two adjacent boards which have been pre-cut with biscuit receiving slots, and, (c) an attachment orifice located at least on the top element for attachment of the anchoring biscuit device to a support board for anchoring and support of the two adjacent boards. In one preferred embodiment, a top bevel is included at the orifice to permit angled screwing at positions other than vertical positions. In other embodiments, the screw orifice will have an oval or elongated shape to likewise enable screwing at angles other than vertical. In yet another preferred embodiment, the orifice will both be beveled and elongated.

REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/811,898, now abandoned filed on Mar. 5, 1997 entitled, “AnchoringBiscuit Device for Joining Two Adjacent Boards”, by the same inventorherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an improved biscuit for joiningadjacent boards. More specifically, the invention is an anchoringbiscuit device, as well an anchoring half biscuit device which has theability for pre-setting distances between adjacent boards and attachingto at least one board by means in addition to the biscuit itself. Theanchoring biscuit device physically joins two adjacent boards in thesame plane to a third, supporting board. The anchoring half-biscuitdevice joins two adjacent boards at right angles to one another.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

The following patents are representative of the state of the art forwood joining devices, equipment and methods:

U.S. Pat. No. 1,184,080 to D'Arcy describes a structure of the classdescribed, the combination of frame pieces disposed at an angle to eachother and plate-like corner irons having angularly disposed flanges,said corner irons being arranged in opposed pairs on the sides of andsecured to the ends of meeting frame pieces with their flanges engagingthe inner edges thereof in overlapping telescoping relation to eachother, the inner flanges having vertical nail slots therein and brads ontheir edges driven into the frame pieces, the outer flanges having nailperforations opposite the nail slots, there being nails disposed throughthe said perforations and slots and driven into the frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,332,081 to G. M. Hunt et al is directed to a woodenpanel. It is described as a panel comprising wooden strips joined alongtheir edges with glue, each strip having at least one groove in its edgematching groove in the edge of the adjoining strip, an asbestosmillboard spline fitted in the matching grooves and bridging the jointbetween the strips, crossbands covering the strips on both sides of thepanel, and veneers covering the crossbands.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,362,252 to Ellinwood describes a wall structure of thecharacter described comprising a pair of adjacent wallboard panelshaving meeting edges, each of said panels being formed with a grooveopening into its meeting edge, the groove in each panel providing anouter lip and an inner lip, said outer lips being in abutting relation,a joining strip permanently secured to the under surface of said outerlips, said inner lips being spaced, a T-shaped connecting member movablypositioned in said groove and having a base in spaced relation to saidinner lips, and means for anchoring said connecting member to astructural element.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,398,603 to Soderberg describes a joining staple,comprising a metal body having at least two portions extending at rightangles to each other and at least two teeth carried upon each of saidportions, each of said teeth consisting of a flat substantiallyrectangular body having a cutting edge extending substantially parallelto its body portion, the cutting edges of all of said teeth beinglocated in one plane, each of said portions having another cutting edgeextending between the teeth of that portion, the second mentionedcutting edges being also located in one plane.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,406,387 to Lank describes the method of constructing aplurality of wooden posts each of which has a connector elementincorporated therein adjacent each end thereof which method comprisesforming a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves in one side ofeach of a pair of wooden blanks from which the posts are to be formed,forming a transverse groove adjacent each end of said side of each ofsaid blanks with the transverse grooves intersecting the longitudinalgrooves, providing a pair of connector retaining members with aplurality of seats for receiving connector elements, the number andspacing of said seats in each of said connector retaining membersconforming to the number and spacing of the longitudinal grooves in eachof said blanks, placing connector elements in each of said seats,positioning said blanks with their grooved sides together and with saidconnector retaining members in said transverse grooves, bonding saidblanks together, and severing the thus bonded assembly alonglongitudinal lines intermediate said longitudinal grooves.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,988 to Ganner is directed to a fitting forreleasably joining two structural components. It is illustrated forreleasably joining two structural components particularly plate-shapedstructural components which extend at a right angle relative to oneanother, a fitting has a preferably cylindrical locking element whichcan be inserted either directly in a bore in the first structuralcomponent or it can be inserted indirectly in a housing, and a holdingpiece with a holding projection anchored in the second structuralcomponent. In the assembled position, the holding projection & abutsagainst one or two gripping surfaces of the locking element whichgripping surfaces are of, for example, eccentric shape, and the holdingprojection is pulled toward the locking element when the locking elementis turned. The holding piece is constructed plate-shaped and isinsertable in a slot in the second structural component.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,458 to Sparrow describes a floor composed ofparallel spaced beams having flanges and blocks of polystyrene foamwhich are laid on the flanges to bridge the gaps between the beams.Boards are laid on the polystyrene blocks, and are supported by theblocks, which form load-bearing members of the floor. The blocks mayhave flanged portions extending over the beams, so as to provide heatinsulation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,027 to Legler et al illustrates a biscuit joiner. Itis described as a biscuit joiner for cutting semi-elliptical slots inopposing edges of workpieces which are to be joined along those edgesincludes a housing adapted to be mounted upon the quill of amulti-purpose woodworking tool, which housing encloses a rotary sawblade adapted to be attached to a spindle projecting from the quill onwhich the housing is mounted. A spring loaded guide projects from thefront face of the housing and has a slot therethrough, so that when thefront face of the guide is engaged by an edge of a workpiece to beslotted the guide can be pushed inwardly against spring pressure,allowing the rotary saw blade to be exposed and form a slot in the edgeof the workpiece. Adjustable stops are provided on the guide so that adesired depth of cut will automatically be made after adjustment. Analternative construction of this biscuit joiner is especially adaptedfor use in conjunction with a conventional drill press, with the arborwhich carries the saw blade being clamped in the chuck on the drivespindle of the drill motor.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,891 to Slocum describes a flooring constructionwhich is provided having a unitary construction with a top layerproviding a finished flooring surface and an insulation layer adjacentthe top layer. The flooring panel includes an upper portion and a lowerportion. The upper portion has a larger dimension than the lower portionand extends outwardly beyond the lower portion. A recessed portionbetween the upper portion and the lower portion defines a channel. Aplurality of interlock support elements having a vertical web and anupper horizontal flange are arranged so that the horizontal flangeextends into the channel. The vertical web extends below the lowerportion to raise the flooring.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,996 to Hiller et al describes a connecting elementfor connecting two parts generally in a connection plane has a firstportion for connecting the element relative to a first of the parts andsecond portion for connecting the element relative to the second part.The second portion includes actuation members which on relative movementof the parts substantially along the connection plane urge the partsforcefully towards each other.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,732 to Fujii et al illustrates a wood joiningstructure and method thereof. It is described as a technique is providedfor joining wood members. A plurality of slits are formed on the endportions of wood pieces desired to be joined, and the end portions areabutted with corresponding slits in alignment to form a common surface.Each of the abutted wood end portions is fixed by temporary fixing meansto a desired joining state. Thereafter, an adhesive agent is appliedinto the interior surfaces of the slits. Connecting plates, e.g., madeof a reinforced plastic material coated with the adhesive agent, areinserted into the aligned slits. The adhesive agent is then hardened.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,433 to Stastny explicates a biscuit and joint madeusing same. It is described as a biscuit having octagonal outerperiphery is used to form a joint between first and second workpieces.The biscuit fits within arcuate slots formed in the workpieces, withglue placed in the slots and/or on the biscuit before the joint is puttogether. The biscuit is made of an anhydrous compressed wood.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,117 to Fleming, III describes a bracket for mountinga rotary lock member in the frame of a panel which is provided. Thebracket is a preferably U-shaped body having a base and two legsextending therefrom. The inner dimension of the bracket is chosen toallow insertion of a rotary lock member therein. Panel engaging stepsand protrusions are located on the outside surface of each leg forengaging the frame material. The legs of the bracket are biased inwardlytowards one another, such that when a locking member is insertedtherein, the legs are pressed outwardly, driving the protrusions intothe frame material. A number of bores are located in the bracket toallow supplemental locking members to lock the bracket to the frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,428 to Bischof is directed to a metallic structuralelement for connecting workpieces consisting of wood, woodworkingmaterial or plastic. It is described as a metallic structural elementfor connecting workpieces consisting of wood, woodworking material orplastic, consisting of a lamellar part, which provides the non-positiveconnection with the first workpiece provided with a groove and atransverse hole, and a bolt-like part which, through screwing orpinning, realizes the non-positive connection with the second workpieceprovided with a longitudinal hole. The lamellar part has, in the center,a hole which is at right angles to the plane of the lamella and isintended for fixing in the groove of the workpiece. Variants having awing-like long or rectangular short lamellar part and a bolt-like partin the form of a conical wood screw, cylindrical screw, screw having ametal thread, threaded sleeve or pin. Accessories: screwing tool anddrilling template.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,016 to Erwin et al describes an extruded plasticdecking plank for mounting to an underlying support structure, the plankhaving a rigid foam core, a resilient outer plastic shell, and aclamping portion for securing the plank to the support structure. Thetop surface of the plank can be provided with a non-slip surface. Theinvention also includes an attachment system for securing such deckingplanks to a support structure by engaging the clamping portions of thedecking planks onto clamps or hold down blocks which are secured ontothe support structure, and which permit relative motion between theplanks and the structure in the planks' lengthwise direction to preventstress and buckling caused by uneven expansion.

Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taughtnor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an anchoring biscuit device for joining threeboards. It includes, (a) a first substantially flat horizontal topelement having a generally biscuit-shaped top view configuration, (b) atleast one substantially vertical support member attached to theunderside of the top element and extending downwardly therefrom for apredetermined length for joinder of two adjacent boards which have beenpre-cut with biscuit receiving slots, and, (c) an attachment orificelocated at least on the top element for attachment of the anchoringbiscuit device to a support board for anchoring and support of the twoadjacent boards. In one preferred embodiment, a top bevel is included atthe orifice to permit angled screwing at positions other than verticalpositions. In other embodiments, the screw orifice will have an oval orelongated shape to likewise enable screwing at angles other thanvertical. In yet another preferred embodiment, the orifice will both bebeveled and elongated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention should be more fully understood when thespecification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appendedhereto wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention anchoring biscuit device,

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view, and

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view thereof;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the present invention device shown in FIGS.1 through 3 but being attached to a joist and a first deck board andabout to be attached to a second deck board where both deck boards aresupported by that joist;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment present inventionanchoring biscuit device;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show top views of alternative present invention anchoringbiscuit devices;

FIG. 8 shows a partial side cut view of the device shown in FIG. 7 toillustrate the beveled cut of the screw hole;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the present invention device shown in FIG.7, but being attached to a joist and a first deck board and about to beattached to a second deck board where both deck boards are supported bythat joist; and,

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show front views of alternative embodiment presentinvention anchoring biscuit devices having single vertical extendedmembers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In FIG. 1, there is shown a top view of present invention anchor biscuitdevice 1. Device 1 includes a top element 3 having a flat top surface asshown, and a top view shape of a biscuit. Thus, it includes walls 5 and7 in the shape of arcs having predetermined radius and predetermined arclengths. In this case, they are perfectly symmetrical and have flatendwalls 9 and 11. Without exceeding the scope of the present invention,these biscuit shapes could be slightly modified, such as having slightlynon-circular arcs or linear segments at angles approximating arcs.

Top element 3 also includes an attachment means, in this case, screwhole 13 located on center. This enables the user to nail or screw device1 into a joist, as more fully described in conjunction with FIG. 4below.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show front and end (right side) views, respectively ofdevice 1 shown in FIG. 1. Thus, device 1 includes vertical supportmembers 15 and 17 with a space therebetween to permit a screw or nail topass through screw hole 13 into a joist or support board. Verticalsupport members 15 and 17 have a predetermined height so as to rest on ajoist in such a way as to establish biscuit top element 3 at apredetermined height from the joist for attachment of two adjacentboards thereto which have pre-cut biscuit slots corresponding thereto.

FIG. 4 shows present invention device 1 with identical parts identicallynumbered. Top element rear biscuit wall 5 is inserted into pre-cutbiscuit slot 27 of horizontal beam 21, as shown. Screw 31 is insertedinto screw hole 13 and into joist beam 25. This anchors device 1 tojoist beam 25 and establishes the elevation of top element 3 so as tomatch with biscuit slot 27. Beam 23 will be placed atop joist 25 andadjacent to beam 21 by being slid into position with wall 7 fitting intoslot 29 and the bottom of beam 23 resting on joist 25. By this method,device 1 attaches all three boards to one another as the biscuit aspectsare typically tight-fitting. Thus, for example, decking boards may beattached without the need for nails or screws entering the beams fromthe top.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment present invention device 51 whichhas multiple screw holes 43, 53 and 55 located in a straight line oncenter of top element 47. It includes ends 41 and 49, and it has aplurality of vertical support members such as vertical support members45 and 57, with spaces therebetween for screw or nail insertions. Device51 is used in the same manner as device 1 described above with respectto FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show top views of alternative embodiment present inventionanchoring biscuit devices 61 and 91 respectively. In FIG. 6, there isshown a top view of present invention anchor biscuit device 61. Device61 includes a top element 63 having a flat top surface as shown, and atop view shape of a biscuit. Thus, it includes walls 65 and 67 in theshape of arcs having predetermined radius and predetermined arc lengths.In this case, they are perfectly symmetrical and have flat endwalls 69and 71. Top element 63 also includes an attachment means, in this case,screw hole 73 located on center. Screw hole 73 has a bevel cut 75 at itstop. This enables the user to nail or screw device 61 into a joist withthe screw or nail being installed vertically, or, more preferably, at anangle.

In FIG. 7, there is shown a top view of present invention anchor biscuitdevice 91. Device 91 includes a top element 93 having a flat top surfaceas shown, and a top view shape of a biscuit. Thus, it includes walls 95and 97 in the shape of arcs having predetermined radius andpredetermined arc lengths. In this case, they are perfectly symmetricaland have flat endwalls 99 and 101. Top element 93 also includes anattachment means, screw hole 103 located on center. Note that screw hole103 is elongated and has a beveled top 105. This enables the user tonail or screw device 91 into a joist, either vertically or at an angle,as more fully described in conjunction with FIG. 8 below.

FIG. 8 shows a partial side cut view of device 91 of FIG. 7 toillustrate the beveled cut 105 of screw hole 103.

FIG. 9 shows present invention device 91 of FIG. 7 and the boards shownin FIG. 4, with identical parts identically numbered. Top element 93 atrear biscuit wall 95 is inserted into pre-cut biscuit slot 27 ofhorizontal beam 21, as shown. Screw 131 is inserted at about a 30° anglefrom vertical into beveled screw hole 103 and into horizontal beam 21and joist beam 25. This anchors device 91 and horizontal beam 21 tojoist beam 25 and support member 117 (and 115 not shown) maintains topelement 93 in a horizontal position during screwing and to maintain itsposition with biscuit slot 27. Beam 23 will be placed atop joist 25 andadjacent to beam 21 by being slid into position with wall 97 fittinginto slot 29 and the bottom of beam 23 resting on joist 25. By thismethod, device 91 attaches all three boards to one another as thebiscuit aspects are typically tight-fitting. The steps are repaeatedalong each joint beam in a deck and they are repeated for each nexthorizontal beam to assemble, e.g., a deck, platform, porch, etc.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of device 141. Thus, device 141 includes asingle vertical support member 145 with a space cut out 143 to permit ascrew or nail to pass through beveled screw hole 153 and through supportmember 145 into a joist or support board. Vertical support member 145has a predetermined height so as to rest on the side of a beam intowhich device 141 may be inserted and, optionally, so as to rest on ajoist in such a way as to establish biscuit top element 147 at apredetermined height from the joist for attachment of two adjacentboards thereto which have pre-cut biscuit slots corresponding thereto.

FIG. 11 shows a front view present invention of device 161, whichincludes a single off-center vertical support member 165 with a spaceunderneath beveled screw hole 163 to permit a screw or nail to passthrough screw hole 163 into a beam and/or joist or support board. Top167 has opposite ends 169 and 171 as shown, with support member 165biased to the left toward end 169, as shown. Top 163 may have atopography which would be the same as that shown in FIGS. 1, 6 or 7above.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An anchoring biscuit device for joining three boards, which comprises: (a) a first substantially flat horizontal top element having a generally biscuit-shaped top view configuration with opposite side walls in the shape of arcs from a top view, said arcs having predetermined radii and arc lengths, said top element having a center area between said opposite side walls in the shape of arcs; (b) at least two substantially vertical support members attached to an underside of said top element at said center area of said top element and extending downwardly therefrom for a predetermined length to maintain said top element in a predetermined position during use for joining two adjacent boards which have been pre-cut with biscuit receiving slots, two of said at least two vertical support members being substantially flat, being in the same plane and one of each being located on opposite sides of an attachment orifice; and, (c) at least one attachment orifice located at least on said top element for attachment of said anchoring biscuit device to a support board for anchoring and support of said two adjacent boards.
 2. The anchoring biscuit device of claim 1 wherein said attachment orifice is at least one screwhole located on said top element for screwing of said anchoring biscuit device to a support board.
 3. The anchoring biscuit device of claim 2 wherein said screwhole has a bevelled top.
 4. The anchoring biscuit device of claim 2 wherein said screwhole is non-circular and elongated.
 5. The anchoring biscuit device of claim 1 wherein said attachment orifice has a bevelled top.
 6. The anchoring biscuit device of claim 1 wherein said attachment orifice is non-circular and elongated.
 7. The anchoring biscuit device of claim 1 wherein said top element and said vertical support member are unitarily formed.
 8. The anchoring biscuit device of claim 1 wherein there are two vertical support members and one is located on each side of said attachment orifice.
 9. The anchoring biscuit device of claim 8 wherein said top element and said two vertical support members are all unitarily formed.
 10. An anchoring biscuit device for joining three boards, which comprises: (a) a first substantially flat horizontal top element having a generally biscuit-shaped top view configuration with opposite side walls in the shape of arcs from a top view, said arcs having predetermined radii and arc lengths, said top element having a center area between said opposite side walls in the shape of arcs; (b) at least one substantially vertical support member attached to an underside of said top element at said center area of said top element and extending downwardly therefrom for a predetermined length to maintain said top element in a predetermined position during use for joining two adjacent boards which have been precut with biscuit receiving slots, said at least one vertical support member being substantially flat; and, (c) at least one attachment orifice located at least on said top element for attachment of said anchoring biscuit device to a support board for anchoring and support of said two adjacent boards; wherein there is one substantially vertical support member which is located off-center and to one side of said attachment orifice.
 11. The anchoring biscuit device of claim 10 wherein said attachment orifice has a bevelled top.
 12. The anchoring biscuit device of claim 10 wherein said attachment orifice is non-circular and elongated. 